Call to waive Mid Wales post office fee

A politician has called on a council to waive a permit that would cost a post postmaster hundreds of pounds to have a mobile unit in a car park in a Mid Wales town.

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Kirsty Williams AM

Builth Wells in Mid Wales is currently without a post office, following the closure of the old shop in the town in February.

The post office has negotiated with the local postmaster to provide a service for one day a week, however Powys County Council has said a permit costing several hundred pounds will be needed if they wish to put mobile unit on the Groe car park in the town.

The postmaster has said this is not viable, and Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams is calling on the authority to waive the fee, to allow the town to access postal services.

She said: "I have previously received confirmation from a senior council director that it is happy to work with Builth Wells Town Council and the Post Office to assist with this matter and now is the chance for the county council to deliver.

“I have written to the council’s cabinet member for economic development to urge that he waives the permit fees for a mobile post office unit in the Groe Car Park as a matter of urgency.

"There are many people in Builth Wells and district who need this service and are finding life much more difficult since the Post Office closed.

“I am working closely with the Post Office and others, to try to get a full service restored. This is an opportunity to ensure that a major step forward is taken and I very much hope the county council will agree to help save the postal service in Builth Wells.”

A spokesman for the council said: "The council is aware of this and has received correspondence from both the Post Office and local politicians, which is currently being considered."